21 Jun 2015

President Lt Gen.Seretse Khama Ian Khama will pay an official visit to France from today (June 22) until June 25 at the invitation of President François Hollande.

A press release from BGCIS stated that President Khama would have meetings with Mr Hollande and French senior government officials responsible for ecology, sustainable development and energy, foreign affairs as well as defence and security.

It noted that Botswana’s diplomatic relations with France were established in 1967 and that France had a resident mission in Gaborone that was opened in July 2001.

“Dialogue and practical cooperation between Botswana and France have continued to grow in recent years in critical areas such as conservation, agriculture, transport, defence, language and culture, among others,” explained the release.

The two countries also shared common interests and values including promotion of democracy, rule of law, human rights, peace and security as well as economic and social progress.

President Khama will be accompanied by the ministers; Dr Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi, Mr Shaw Khathi, Mr Tshekedi Khama and senior government officials. President Khama and his delegation will return home on June 25. ENDS